Vought Can Do! Campaign Raises More Than $215,000 for Local Food Banks

39 percent increase over 2007


DALLAS.– Despite the economic downturn, or perhaps because of it, employees of Vought Aircraft Industries reached deep into their own wallets to raise more than $215,000 during its annual Can Do! food drive last month. The amount represents a 39 percent increase over last year’s campaign.

Funds will be used by local food banks and non-profit agencies to provide meals and emergency groceries to the needy.

Several Vought facilities set fundraising records for their sites’ annual Can Do! campaign. Nashville employees doubled their collections over 2007, and employees at the Marshall Street facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, increased their results by 22 percent. The Dallas site, with the largest Vought employee population of about 3,000 people, continually leads the company -- this year raising more than $105,000.

Some Vought sites collected actual cans of food during the drive, while others held contests to “can”struct the most creative structure out of the cans. Vought’s Milledgeville, Ga., facility did both.

Many sites added new fundraising activities, such as a golf tournament in Stuart, Fla.; a Marshall Street facility family cookbook sale in Grand Prairie; and a lucrative cake walk at the Jefferson Street facility in Dallas. The Hawthorne, Calif., facility went “Hollywood” by spoofing the TV show American Idol and presenting live entertainment in a light-hearted competition. Employees in North Charleston took their drive a step further by collecting and donating more than 500 toys to local children as well.

Between payroll deductions and the ongoing creative efforts by employees, donations to Can Do! take place all year long. During the on-site campaigns, employees participate in numerous fundraising events such as food sales, silent auctions, games, raffles, and the sale of Can Do! shirts.

The effort shows how willing Vought employees are to help their community, said Tom Stubbins, Vought vice president of human resources. ”Once again, it demonstrates that Vought employees are among the most generous people around -- always ready to lend a hand and share their resources,“ he said. ”Our partnerships with these local food banks and agencies span more than 25 years, and say a lot about the investment we’re making in our own backyards.”

Vought Can Do! in California benefits the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. In Florida, the beneficiary is the United Way White Doves Project. In Georgia, the Milledgeville drive benefits the St. Stephen’s Food Pantry and The Empty Stocking Fund. In South Carolina, the Lowcountry Food Bank receives Vought’s Can Do! donation. Nashville’s donations benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. In Texas, the contributions go to the North Texas Food Bank and the Tarrant Area Food Bank. In Washington, the Vought drive benefits the Everett Food Bank.